The U.S. embassy in Delhi has announced the cancellation of visas for Indian businesspeople and their families. This action stems from their alleged involvement in trafficking ‘precursors’ of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that has fueled a drug crisis within the United States. While the statement did not specify any individuals, it made clear that those affected, along with their immediate family members, are now ineligible to enter the United States. The embassy also indicated that it will flag instances where executives from corporations have engaged in fentanyl precursor trafficking. The U.S. embassy in Delhi reiterated its strong commitment to combating drug trafficking. It emphasized that individuals and organizations implicated in the illegal production and trafficking of drugs to the United States will face consequences, potentially including denial of entry to the U.S. for them and their families. The embassy expressed gratitude to the Indian government for its ongoing cooperation in addressing this shared challenge, highlighting the importance of collaborative efforts to combat this transnational threat and protect both nations from illicit drugs. Fentanyl, a drug that can be mass-produced, is approximately 50 times more potent than heroin. U.S. officials have identified fentanyl as a leading cause of death among individuals aged 18-45. China has been implicated as the primary source for all fentanyl-related substances entering the United States. In February, U.S. President Donald Trump introduced tariffs on Chinese goods, as well as goods from Mexico and Canada, in an attempt to curb the flow of fentanyl into the country. These tariffs were later increased as trade tensions escalated between China and the United States. Fentanyl, approved for medical use since the 1960s as a painkiller, has become a major contributor to opioid-related deaths in the United States, with over 48,000 deaths recorded in 2024. Its high potency makes it extremely dangerous, with a single dose of just two milligrams potentially being fatal.
